New insights into phytogenics
Phytogenic concepts in piglets benefits of a proven approach
Tobias Steiner
Director Competence Center Phytogenics
Tobias Steiner
Director Competence Center Phytogenics
New insights into
phytogenics
Phytogenic concepts in piglets
- benefits of a proven approach
Summary
Phytogenics affect feed conversion
Phytogenics represent a promising category of naturally-derived growth promoters originating from herbs
and spices. Many phytogenic agents are well known from
human nutrition, where they have a long tradition in the
flavoring of foods. It is, however, not only their flavoring properties, but also a number of biological activities,
which make phytogenics an encouraging approach in
animal nutrition. Trials conducted at different universities and research institutes in Europe and in the United
States have shown considerable positive effects of phytogenics on growth performance. Significant improvements in feed conversion have been obtained, also in
comparison to antibiotic growth promoters. As a consequence of ongoing research, phytogenics are regarded as
effective performance enhancers, especially in antibioticfree feeding systems.
Optimizing feed conversion ratio is crucial for efficiency in swine production. A trial was recently carried out at Kansas State University, United States, to
evaluate the efficacy of phytogenics in comparison to
AGPs in post-weaning piglets (Sulabo et al., 2007). 192
piglets (22 days of age) were assigned to four treatment
groups: Group 1 was fed a negative control diet without
growth-promoters. Groups 2 and 3 received the negative
control diet supplemented with phytogenics. Group 4
was offered a positive control diet containing AGPs (140
g/t neomycin sulfate and 140 g/t oxytetracycline HCl).
Growth performance was significantly improved over the
negative control group when phytogenics or AGPs were
added to the feed. In terms of average daily gains, the
pigs fed phytogenics were intermediate between the negative control and the AGPs (Figure 1). Feed conversion,
however, was best in the groups receiving phytogenics
(Figure 2). The phytogenic feed additive under investigation contained a defined blend of essential oils from
anise, citrus and oregano, as well as plant extracts.
Introduction
The swine production sector is facing several challenges. The removal of antibiotic growth promoters
(AGPs), for example, has put additional pressure on European swine producers. Consequently, the implementation of sound hygienic farm conditions and elaborate
feeding concepts are cornerstones of sustainability and
profitability in modern swine production. The need
for optimal feed efficiency, in terms of feed conversion
ratios, becomes even more evident in present times of
rising prices for feed ingredients.
Growing concern about AGPs in animal nutrition has created efforts to use different alternative
growth-promoting agents in swine nutrition. Among
potential candidates, phytogenics represent a new and
exciting group of feed additives, originating principally
from herbs, spices or other plants. An improvement in
feed conversion ratio has been observed in recent trials
conducted at different universities and research institutes
in Europe and in the United States.
2
It can be concluded from the outcome of this trial
that well-selected phytogenics can be successfully used
to improve growth performance in post-weaning piglets, especially in antibiotic-free feeding regimens. The
results from Kansas State University confirmed positive observations obtained in previous experiments. A
trial conducted in Denmark by Danske Slagterier also
showed an increase in performance when the feed was
supplemented with phytogenics. In this trial, 384 pigs
(5 weeks of age) were fed either a negative control diet or
the negative control diet with supplemental phytogenics.
The feed was pelleted at a minimum temperature of 81
°C. Performance parameters, as recorded from weaning
to 50 days post-weaning, are shown in Table 1.
520
1.45
502a
481b
1.40a
477b
480
453c
460
a, b, c P<0.05
1.42a
500
Feed/Gain
Average daily gain (g)
a, b, c P<0.05
440
1.40
1.37b
1.36b
1.35
420
400
Negative
Control
Phytogenics
Phytogenics
1.30
Positive
Control
(AGPs)
Figure 1a & 1b: Effects of phytogenics on average daily
gain (Kansas State University)
Negative
Control
Phytogenics
Phytogenics
Positive
Control
(AGPs)
Figure 2: Effects of phytogenics on feed efficiency (Kansas
State University)
Not only daily gain and feed conversion ratio were
improved by 5.2 and 4.5%, respectively. Also the Danish
Production Value was increased by 10.3% through supplementation of the feed with phytogenics. The Danish
Production Value represents an indicator of productivity
and is calculated as follows: (kg gain × DKK/kg gain)–
(no. of analyzed FUp × DKK/FUp), with figures being
based on average local prices.
Similarly, recent observations from a field trial conducted in South Africa (Carletonville area, North West
Province) have shown substantial benefits of phytogenics
in weaned pigs. The trial was carried out on a commercial farm and lasted 37 days. Pigs in group A (control)
were fed a basal diet containing Tylan (1 kg/t) and zinc
oxide (4 kg/t), whereas pigs in group B were fed the basal
diet supplemented with phytogenics (Biomin® P.E.P.). As
shown in Table 2, considerable improvements in daily
weight gain were seen when the pigs were fed phytogenics. Moreover, pigs in group B were more uniform in size
at the end of the trial.
As supported by the above trial data, phytogenics
work well in diets with or without antibiotics and could
even replace AGPs in feed formulations for swine. Meanwhile, the use of AGPs is also a subject of public criticism
in North America and discussions about a potential ban
of these substances – following the example of Europe
– are anticipated to become more and more substantial. The experience from Europe shows that the ban of
Table 1. Piglet performance in response to phytogenics (Danske Slagterier)
¹
Negative control
Phytogenics
No. of pens
24
24
No. of piglets
192
192
Difference (%)
Daily weight gain (g)
422
444
+5.2
Feed intake (FUp¹)
0.84
0.85
+1.2
Feed conversion ratio
2.01
1.92
-4.5
Danish Production Value
55.5
61.2
+10.3
One FUp corresponds to 7.72 MJ net energy
Table 1. Field trial with weaned pigs (data from South Africa)
Group A
(Control)
Group B
(Phytogenics)
No. of piglets
46
34
Weaning age
30
30
Average weaning weight (kg)
8.47
8.76
Average weight (kg) at end of trial
22.93
26.53
391
480
Average daily weight gain (g)
3
Phytogenics differ!
Phytogenic feed additives are usually available in the
form of dried and ground material, extracts or essential
oils. They contain a large number of biological activities, therefore having the potential to beneficially affect
gut health and performance. However, phytogenic feed
additives usually vary seriously in their chemical composition. Hence, there are large differences in efficacy
between phytogenic products in the market. A big challenge for swine producers is to find the suitable product
formulation out of an increasing number of phytogenic
feed additives which are available. Only formulations
which are based on profound scientific research can
be expected to deliver sustainably an improvement in
growth performance. Although scientific literature about
phytogenic agents is multiplying rapidly, there is still a
remarkable lack of information regarding the mode of
action of phytogenics and the answer to the question:
How do phytogenics work in the animal?
How do phytogenics work?
Many herbs and spices are known for their flavoring
properties, thus having the potential to stimulate voluntary feed intake – an effect often observed in lactating
sows (Miller et al., 2003). In the production of piglets,
weaning is an extremely critical point, since the transition from sow’s milk to solid feed is a challenge to the
young piglets’ digestive system, which can easily cause diarrhoea coinciding with dramatic drops in performance.
Well-selected phytogenics may stabilize gut health and
support digestion during this critical period.
An extensive study, carried out at the University of
Natural Resources and Applied Life Sciences, Vienna
(Kroismayr et al., 2005), was directed to discover the
mode of action of phytogenics, using the above-mentioned phytogenic additive as model substance in growing pigs. The researchers discovered significant effects
caused by the phytogenic additive, with respect to gastrointestinal, as well as blood and immune parameters.
Moreover, these effects were associated with improved
growth performance.
Conclusion and outlook
Well-investigated phytogenics are an efficient tool to
support animal health and growth performance. Since
they do not pose any risk regarding antibiotic resistance
or residues in animal products such as meat, eggs or
milk, phytogenics are expected to gain high consumer’s
acceptance and are generally regarded as safe alternatives
to AGPs. Particular attention, however, has to be paid
on the composition of formulations which are available
in the market. Only a well-balanced and scientifically
developed combination of active ingredients with different properties can be expected to function synergistically in order to bring about the desired benefits for the
producer.
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©2014 BIOMIN Holding GmbH
ART_No29_PHY_S_EN_0514_TST
AGPs does definitely not leave an insuperable hurdle for
swine producers. One reason is that management practices can still be optimized in order to improve hygienic
conditions and to minimize the impact of environmental
stressors. Furthermore, effective alternative feed additives
are available, such as demonstrated in the above trial results.